What motivates You?

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winjim

Straddle the line, discord and rhyme
The only reason I don't cycle to work every day is that I work with my wife. It'd be a bit weird if we didn't travel in together at least some of the time.
 

sazzaa

Guest
I listen to French podcasts while cycling so it's a good way of fitting exercise and studying into my day. And it's usually quicker than taking the car, traffic is a nightmare where I live. It's also nice being able to snack at work, guilt-free.
 

classic33

Leg End Member
Proving just how far can be done on two wheels & pedal power, to those who say it "Can't be done!".
Spent over two & half years doing what couldn't be done.
 

Crankarm

Guru
Location
Nr Cambridge
It used to be to get fit and loose weight, but after 5 years, those have been sorted out. At the moment it is still the most convenient way to get to work, its quicker than the car as there is no parking at work. Quicker than the bus, and its cheaper than all of them. However, about a month or so ago I had had enough of the rain, and vowed that when the forecast is for heavy rain all day like tomorrow, I am going on the bus cause I have lost the motivation to go in all weathers. After 31,000 miles it has lost its novelty a bit.

Just what I have decided to do Kevin. Sick of getting soaked, cleaning and lubing so I'm not riding a sewing or threshing machine. The grit and mud on a supposedly clean tarmac service road is unreal. I don't know where it all comes from! All the horse crap I suppose. Like you and a few others I don't have anything to prove certainly not in fitness anyway when one rides a minimum of 180 miles a week, but lately this has been 360 miles a week. The novelty "buzz" that these noobs talk about soon wears off although it's still moderately enjoyable. Having done a full days work, and I do a very active job, one is kind of knackered when one finally gets home. So when, like tomorrow or later today more correctly, when it's forecast to be pishing with rain I do NOT have a heavy heart or am I racked with guilt when I drive in. But got wet yesterday! Riding so many miles one is almost in a constant state of tiredness and hunger. So what motivates me? It's what I do as I have done it for so long I couldn't possibly change now.

There was a bad accident on the GBS last sunday afternoon. When I came back about 5:30pm at the bus stop for the Fenstanton lakes the one with the bird hide, the very last one before St Ives, there was roadie cyclist being tended to by a few peds. He was sitting down on the edge of the path with a piece of clothing trying to stem blood pouring from his head, blood all over the tarmac so must have come off or collided with some one or another cyclist. It looked nasty and he could have been in a bad way. A few minutes later I heard the sirens of ambulances. Tbh I thought the air ambulance would have been the quickest owing to issues of accessibility. I hope he was ok. As I say people were tending to him so I continued on. He looked to be in his late 30s or 40s in team kit.
 
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Crankarm

Guru
Location
Nr Cambridge
if you work hard to achieve a certain level of fitness what ever that maybe you come to a point where you don't want to throw it all a way.

Yeah move away from that Ginsters pasty, BigMac or Mars bar or pint of beer :laugh:!

Or if you ride rather a lot it doesn't matter what you eat as you need every calorie you can shovel into your mouth or get your mouth around ;).
 

donnydave

Über Member
Location
Cambridge
The novelty of cycling - beating the traffic, saving money etc has been wearing off for me too over the last 3 months or so, I've driven to work a fair few times when the weather has been bad where previously I would revel in beating mother nature but I'm fed up of forever cleaning my bike, coming home in damp clothes because they haven't dried out in the office etc.

To begin with it was fun and I enjoyed the incredulous looks on peoples faces when they realised I had biked to work but after 4 years I have yet to receive a medal for my effort, at work I'm simply regarded as the slightly odd bloke who could come in the car if he wanted to when the weather is bad, but doesn't. I'll put up with a bit of rain if it starts after I set off but if its chucking it down before I've even started I often take the car now. I still manage 100 miles per week and have upped my running regime to supplement lost exercise time due to driving so my fitness isn't taking a hit.
 

jonny jeez

Legendary Member
I have no REASON to cycle as i can easily motorcycle, drive, train or scooter.


But I have a good number of mates who ride a bit and I can honestly say that I find Strava very motivational. Comparing our total distance each week is a great competition and getting out when your mates stay wrapped up in bed feels like an additional achievement
 

GrumpyGregry

Here for rides.
At the moment? Nothing.

Post major-project blues. As a result I'm only riding at weekends and getting the train to work.
 

hatler

Legendary Member
As found elsewhere (http://biketoworkchallenge.org/category/testimonials/).

My first day at a new place of work, ten miles from home. Of course I drove. One hour and forty minutes later I was seriously hacked off at having sat in traffic for that long. “I could cycle it in that time” I thought. And so I did. Yes, the muscles ached for a bit, and I got wet and cold on the odd time when it rained.

Ten years later and I’m still doing it (albeit on a slightly better bike than when I started).

Having started because it would be quicker (and it consistently is), I do it now for many more reasons :
  • It’s fun
  • I stay fit
  • I can eat what I want
  • It saves time
  • It saves a whole lot of money
  • The journey time is completely predictable (a great stress reducer)
And on a very whimsical front, I get to stay connected with the seasons and the great outdoors (which is hard to do from behind a desk and a steering wheel).

Aside from the real practical benefits of commuting, my passion for cycling has resulted in a whole new pastime, and some great adventures and challenges on the way.
 
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fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
I have options of bus, car or bike. Bike wins as it keeps me fit, and I end up in work feeling 100% better than when I got up. Exercise and fresh air does that. Doesn't matter how tired or ill I feel, I get on the bike.
 
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